How to Choose the Right Birth Setting for Your Baby’s Arrival

One of the decisions expectant parents face is choosing the right birth setting for their baby’s arrival. With options ranging from hospitals and birth centers to the comfort of home, it’s helpful to explore each possibility carefully to make an informed decision that aligns with your preferences and values.

Are you wanting less intervention and the comfort of your home? A home birth would be the right setting.

Are you looking for something that is laid back and comforting but still has the ability to support any complications that may arise? A birth center may be the right setting.

Are you looking for a space that has obstetricians, medical equipment, and pain medication? A hospital may be the right setting.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at each type of location to see which option would be the best for your birth and early postpartum.

Hospital Birth Setting:

Hospitals are the most common birth setting offering medical interventions and access to obstetricians, midwives, and other healthcare professionals. Hospital births provide a sense of security for those who desire immediate medical assistance in case of complications during labor and delivery.

High-risk pregnancies may require hospital care to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. However, hospital births may be associated with interventions such as epidurals, inductions, and cesarean sections, which some parents may wish to avoid unless medically necessary.

Questions for hospital birth:

1. What is the hospital’s cesarean section rate, (hospital stats website) and under what circumstances are cesarean sections performed?
2. What are your doctor’s cesarean section rate or any other stats?
3. Can I tour the labor and delivery unit to see the facilities and birthing rooms?
4. What pain management options are available during labor, such as epidurals, nitrous oxide, or other alternatives?
5. How does the hospital handle birth plans and preferences for labor and delivery?
6. What support services are available for mothers during labor, such as doulas, lactation consultants, or birthing classes?
7. What are the visiting hours and policies for support persons during labor and delivery?
8. How does the hospital handle emergencies during labor and delivery, including access to obstetricians and neonatal care?
9. What is the hospital’s policy on skin-to-skin contact and immediate breastfeeding after birth?
10. Are there any restrictions on movement or eating/drinking during labor?
11. What postpartum care services are available for mothers and babies?
12. Can I have a private room after giving birth, and what are the accommodations for partners or family members?
13. What are the hospital’s policies regarding newborn care, including circumcision and rooming-in options?
14. How does the hospital support breastfeeding mothers, including access to lactation consultants and breastfeeding support groups?
15. What is the hospital’s policy on routine medical interventions during labor, such as continuous fetal monitoring or routine IV fluids?
16. Are there any additional costs or fees associated with childbirth such as anesthesia or newborn screenings?
17. How can they help you achieve your birth goals?
18. What can you bring from home?
19. Can you dim the room lights even during delivery?
20. Is a photographer/videographer allowed in the room when giving birth or a cesarean?
21. If having twins or triplets, can you stay in the birthing room and not in an operating room?

Birth Center Setting:

Birth centers offer a middle ground between hospitals and home births, providing a homelike environment with trained midwives or nurse practitioners attending births. Birth centers prioritize natural childbirth and offer a range of amenities such as birthing tubs, comfortable furnishings, and support for various birthing preferences including water births and delayed cord clamping.

Families who choose birth centers often value the personalized care and emphasis on the physiological process of birth while still having access to medical equipment and expertise if needed. However, birth centers may have eligibility criteria, and transfers to hospitals may be necessary in case of complications.

Questions for birth center:

1. Does the birth center you are looking into align with your values, goals, and birth plan?
2. What happens when something becomes complicated in childbirth or immediate postpartum?
3. How many hospital transfers have they had and why?
4. Do they support VBAC or breech births?
5. What time frame after giving birth do you stay?
6. What is the philosophy of the birth center regarding childbirth?
7. What are the qualifications and experience of the staff, including midwives and nurses?
8. What services and amenities does the birth center offer during labor and delivery?
9. Can you tour the facility to see the birthing rooms and amenities?
10. What is the birth center’s policy on pain management options, such as epidurals or nitrous oxide?
11. How does the birth center handle emergencies or transfers to a hospital if needed?
12. What prenatal and postpartum care services are provided?
13. Are there any eligibility criteria or restrictions for giving birth at the birth center?
14. Can you discuss the typical birth experience at the center including interventions and support provided?
15. What is the policy on visitors and support persons during labor and delivery?
16. How does the birth center involve partners and family members in the birthing process?
17. What are the costs associated with giving birth at the birth center, and what is included in the fees?
18. Are there any childbirth education classes or support groups offered at the birth center?
19. Can you provide references or testimonials from previous clients who have given birth at the birth center?
20. How does the birth center support breastfeeding and postpartum care?
21. Is a photographer/videographer allowed in the room when giving birth?

Home Birth Setting:

For some families, the comfort and familiarity of home provide an ideal setting for childbirth. Home births allow for greater autonomy and control over the birthing experience, with the option to create a personalized birth plan and surround oneself with supportive loved ones. Home births are often chosen by those seeking a low-intervention, natural childbirth experience without the routines and protocols of hospitals or birth centers.

Midwives or certified professional midwives (CPMs) typically attend home births, providing skilled care and monitoring while respecting the family’s wishes. However, it’s crucial to assess the safety of home birth based on factors such as maternal health, previous birth experiences, and access to emergency medical services. You may be able to have a home birth no matter your birth experience before. You should ask this question to your midwife as well.

Questions for home birth:

1. What is your training and experience as a midwife, and are you licensed or certified?
2. Can you provide references or testimonials from previous clients who have had home births with you?
3. How do you handle emergencies during home births, and what is your transfer plan in case medical intervention is needed?
4. What equipment and supplies do you bring to home births, and how do you ensure a safe and sanitary environment?
5. What prenatal and postpartum care services do you offer for home birth clients?
6. How do you support mothers during labor and delivery, including pain management options and emotional support?
7. Can you discuss your approach to childbirth and any specific philosophies or techniques you use?
8. What is your policy on accepting clients with high-risk pregnancies or medical complications?
9. How do you involve partners and family members in the home birth process?
10. What are your fees for home birth services, and what is included in the cost?
11. Can you provide information about any childbirth education classes or support groups you offer?
12. What are your policies regarding newborn care and screening tests after birth?
13. How do you support breastfeeding mothers and address any breastfeeding challenges that may arise?
14. What are your backup arrangements in case you are unavailable during labor or delivery?
15. Can you walk me through the typical home birth experience, from labor onset to postpartum care?

Doula Support

Are you hiring a doula? If you are, these are questions to ask the doula about their care.

1. How can they help you achieve your birth goals?
2. How do they support dad?
3. Do they encourage evidence based birth practices?
4. How do they support VBAC or breech births?
5. How do they support Cesarean births?
6. I wouldn’t ask how many births they have attended but rather what type of births and how they handled the births.

Here is our blog post with 50 questions to ask a doula when interviewing them.

Making the Decision:

When deciding on the birth setting that’s right for you, consider the following factors:

• Your preferences and values regarding childbirth
• Your health status and any risk factors associated with your pregnancy
• Access to healthcare facilities and emergency services in your area
• Support from your birth partner, family, and healthcare providers
• The level of autonomy and control you desire during labor and delivery
• Your comfort level with medical interventions and potential risks

Ultimately, the right birth setting is a personal decision that should be made based on careful consideration of your individual circumstances and preferences. Take the time to research and discuss your options with your healthcare provider, partner, and other trusted individuals to ensure that you feel confident and empowered in your choice.

Whether you opt for a hospital birth, birth center, or home birth, prioritize your safety, well-being, and preferences while welcoming your new arrival into the world. By weighing the benefits and considerations of each option, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision for childbirth and sets the stage for a positive and empowering journey into parenthood.